Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Physics > Quantum physics > Flashcards

Quantum physics Flashcards

1
Q

What is the fundamental unit of quantum information?

A

Quantum bit or qubit.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

True or False: In quantum mechanics, particles can exist in multiple states at once.

A

True.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Fill in the blank: The principle that states that certain pairs of properties cannot be simultaneously known to arbitrary precision is called the __________ principle.

A

Heisenberg uncertainty.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the phenomenon where particles can instantaneously affect each other over large distances?

A

Quantum entanglement.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What does the wave function represent in quantum mechanics?

A

The probability amplitude of a particle’s state.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which equation is fundamental to quantum mechanics and describes how the quantum state of a physical system changes over time?

A

Schrödinger equation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

True or False: Quantum superposition allows a particle to be in a defined state.

A

False.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the term for the process by which a quantum system transitions from one state to another?

A

Quantum tunneling.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Which principle states that energy and momentum cannot be precisely measured simultaneously?

A

Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the dual nature of light?

A

Light exhibits both wave-like and particle-like properties.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Fill in the blank: The phenomenon in which light can be emitted or absorbed in discrete packets is known as __________.

A

quantization.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a photon?

A

A quantum of electromagnetic radiation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

True or False: Quantum states can be described using classical physics.

A

False.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What does the term ‘quantum decoherence’ refer to?

A

The process by which quantum systems lose their quantum properties due to interaction with the environment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the Pauli exclusion principle?

A

No two fermions can occupy the same quantum state simultaneously.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the significance of Planck’s constant?

A

It relates the energy of a photon to its frequency.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Which scientist is known for the thought experiment involving a cat that is simultaneously alive and dead?

A

Erwin Schrödinger.

18
Q

What is a quantum state?

A

A mathematical object that fully describes a quantum system.

19
Q

Fill in the blank: The __________ describes the statistical distribution of particles in quantum mechanics.

A

Boltzmann distribution.

20
Q

What is the concept of quantum teleportation?

A

The transfer of quantum information from one location to another without physical transmission of particles.

21
Q

True or False: In quantum mechanics, measurements can affect the system being measured.

A

True.

22
Q

Which term describes the observation that particles like electrons exhibit both wave and particle characteristics?

A

Wave-particle duality.

23
Q

What does the term ‘quantum field theory’ refer to?

A

A theoretical framework that combines classical field theory, special relativity, and quantum mechanics.

24
Q

What is the role of an observer in quantum mechanics?

A

The observer affects the outcome of a measurement, collapsing the wave function.

25
Q

Fill in the blank: The __________ effect is the shift in frequency of light emitted from a moving source.

A

Doppler.

26
Q

What is the relationship between frequency and energy of a photon?

A

Energy is directly proportional to frequency (E = hf).

27
Q

True or False: Quantum mechanics only applies to very small scales, such as atoms and subatomic particles.

A

True.

28
Q

What is a wave function collapse?

A

The process by which a wave function transitions from a superposition of states to a single state upon measurement.

29
Q

What is the uncertainty relation formula?

A

Δx * Δp ≥ ħ/2.

30
Q

Fill in the blank: The __________ is a quantum number that describes the angular momentum of an electron in an atom.

A

orbital quantum number.

31
Q

What does ‘entangled particles’ mean?

A

Particles whose quantum states are interconnected, such that the state of one immediately affects the state of the other.

32
Q

What is a Bose-Einstein condensate?

A

A state of matter formed at temperatures close to absolute zero, where particles occupy the same quantum state.

33
Q

True or False: Quantum mechanics allows for faster-than-light communication.

A

False.

34
Q

What is a quantum harmonic oscillator?

A

A model that describes a particle bound in a potential well, exhibiting quantized energy levels.

35
Q

Fill in the blank: The __________ theorem is used to derive the behavior of quantum systems in thermal equilibrium.

A

Gibbs.

36
Q

What is the difference between fermions and bosons?

A

Fermions obey the Pauli exclusion principle, while bosons do not.

37
Q

What is the significance of the double-slit experiment?

A

It demonstrates the wave-particle duality of light and matter.

38
Q

What is quantum superposition?

A

The ability of a quantum system to exist in multiple states at the same time.

39
Q

Fill in the blank: The __________ is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a quantum system.

A

entropy.

40
Q

What is the role of quantum numbers?

A

They describe the properties and energy levels of electrons in an atom.

41
Q

What does the term ‘quantum coherence’ refer to?

A

The property of a quantum state to exhibit interference effects due to a well-defined phase relationship.

Physics (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions